Bulgaria Inside

Martenitsa is one of the most recognizable Bulgarian symbols. Martentitsa is worn as an adornment and is made of red and white threads. Modifications are numerous. In some parts of the country, people add a blue thread to counter curses.

March 1 is the day on which Bulgarians exchange martenitsas. These are carried until one sees a blossoming tree or a stork. Once people see these spring symbols, they tie their martenitsas on a tree or let them flow downstream a river. In some regions, people leave martenitsas under rocks. They return a month later to count the number of ants under the rock. If there are many, the year is to be prosperous.

Some Bulgarians tie martenitsas on fruit trees and farm animals.

Initially, only women and children exchanged martenitsas. Everybody started celebrating March 1 several decades ago. According to traditions, the oldest woman of a household should make the martenitsas and should present them to children and younger women. Only martenitsas that are given as gift bring luck and health.

A legend about the origin of the tradition tells that khan Asaprouh, the founder of present-day Bulgaria, had a sister named Houba. She was captured and to free her, Asparouh had to find free land and take his people there. He promised to inform his sister once the land was discovered. He was to send her a dove that had a thread tied to its leg. While flying, the dove was wounded and its blood colored the thread. Yet Houba got the good news and managed to escape.

Other legends are told as well. All of them focus on Asparouh and Houba.

People in neighboring countries like Romania, Macedonia and Serbia have similar rituals.